Grey Swallow's half-sister Moonlight Dance landed the Group 3 ladbrokes.ie International Stakes at The Curragh today, significantly increasing her value as a broodmare.
Trainer Dermot Weld afterwards praised jockey Pat Smullen for his 'positive ride' on the daughter of Sinndar, who regained the lead a furlong out to hold Lock And Key by a head.
In-foal to High Chaparral, Moonlight Dance does not have much time left as a racehorse, and Weld reported 'that was possibly her swan-song but there is a possibility that she may go for the Desmond Stakes shortly.'
Third placed 9/10 favourite Democratic Deficit never looked like winning and jockey Kevin Manning later reported 'he never picked up the bridle and was disappointing.'
Democratic Deficit's defeat was sandwiched between a double for his trainer Jim Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning.
Mrs Gillow landed the ladbrokes.ie Total Betting Service Handicap for the Coolcullen yard, moving through to lead approaching the straight, staying on for a two length win over Anxious Moments.
An hour and a half later Bolger's Precipitous denied Ruby Walsh a rare Flat win, in the Bet On ladbrokes.ie Handicap.
Walsh, riding his father Ted's Kid Creole at 10st on his 'day off', eventually finished second to Precipitous, who arrived with a well timed challenge under Manning to score a one length victory.
Most valuable event on the card was the E100,000 Ladbrokes Rockingham Premier Handicap with Tommy Stack's Bali Royal landing a gamble (14/1 - 10/1 on course but available at 33/1 in the morning).
Ridden by Wayne Lordan, was always prominent, led a furlong out before going on to break the track record for the five furlong trip, at 57.3 seconds.
Stack later reported 'Bali Royal needed the run last time out here and today was only her second start for us.'
'She is already a Listed winner and was bought for 20,000Gns at Newmarket Sales last December. First time blinkers helped and she is also in-foal to Danetime.'
The opening ladbrokes.ie EBF Fillies Maiden went to Aidan O'Brien's Oh How Lovely, under stable jockey Kieren Fallon.
The daughter of Storm Cat raced prominently before striking the front over a furlong out. However, runner-up Dryandra soon challenged and briefly led, before Oh How Lovely got her head in front again at the line.
According to O'Brien 'Oh How Lovely will probably go for the seven furlong Group 2 Debutante Stakes here on August 7 next.'
Michael Halford's Who'd Of Guest easily defied a 12lbs rise for winning over a similar trip at Sligo last month when running out the comfortable winner of the 1m2f handicap.
